The Micro and Meso Levels of Activism

An interesting comparative study. Playing with the interaction of individual motives and organizational appeals, the author accounts for the diverging trajectories of the branches of Attac in Germany and France. Applying and testing a motivational model he develops a dynamical approach to protest participation.

Bert Klandermans, Faculty of Social Sciences, Vrije University Amsterdam, Netherlands

Why do people join, participate in, and leave social movement organizations (SMOs)? What can explain these organizations' diverse trajectories? Daniel Stockemer analyzes these theoretical issues by comparing the French and German branches of ATTAC, the influential spearhead of the alter-globalization movement. His nuanced account cogently demonstrates the value of integrating theoretical analyses of collective action with an empirical focus on the dynamics of SMOs.

Mark Kesselman, Professor Emeritus of Government, Department of Politics, Columbia University, USA.